Read the passage.

in 1924, nathan leopold and richard loeb were convicted of killing a fourteen-year-old neighbor boy. leopold and loeb were in their late teens, came from wealthy families, and attended college. they wanted to commit the “perfect crime.” attorney clarence darrow, a lifetime opponent of the death penalty, was their defense attorney.

excerpt from clarence darrow’s closing argument in illinois v. nathan leopold and richard loeb, august 22–25, 1924

the law knows and has recognized childhood for many and many a long year. what do we know about childhood? the brain of the child is the home of dreams, of castles, of visions, of illusions and of delusions. in fact, there could be no childhood without delusions, for delusions are always more alluring than the fact. delusions, dreams and hallucinations are a part of the warp and woof of childhood.…

how does the use of repetition in this excerpt advance the speaker's viewpoint?

it underlines the idea that the boys were not thinking as adults when planning the crime.

it makes clear that the boys were not aware that their actions were criminal.

it creates mental pictures of the boys as innocent and harmless.

it places doubt as to whether the boys were capable of planning a crime.